A child's play ball constituted by an outer casing and an inner inflatable bladder. The outer casing is formed by contoured segments of high strength, non-stretchable fabric material stitched together to define, when the casing is fully expanded, a play ball of the desired shape and size, such as a football or soccer ball. The inner bladder is a conventional rubber balloon whose stem initially projects through an opening in the casing which is provided with a closure. The stem, after the balloon is inflated with air so that it conforms to the casing, is then tied to retain the air, the tied stem being concealed within the casing by the closure. The maximum safe diameter of the inflated balloon which is well below the diameter at which the balloon is close to its bursting point, is approximately equal to the maximum dimension of the expanded casing whereby the encased balloon has exceptional strength and the play ball may be subjected to rough handling.